rogers



w( S R E G 0 R D. U

(No Model.)

BARB WIRE MACHINE.

, INVENTIH.

WITNEEEEE.

(No Model.) 7 Sheets-Sheet 2.

' C. D. ROGERS..

BARB WIRE MACHINE.

No. 376,417. Patented Jan. l0, 1888.

-uillllllll` WITNEEEIEE.

' wnvm;

(N'Model.) Sheets--Sheet 3. O. D. ROGERS.

BARB WIRE MACHINE.

. m. w m s. A E @n 1 @f V n Y 1 .ZW N m m n u m m c t w @ML b na N. PErER PhowLnhngnp-,en washington, DJ;

lllli Wl TN EEEEEI.

(No Model.) 7 Sheet's--Sheet 4.

C. D. ROGERS..

` BARE-WIRE MACHINE.

lNvEN-FDR.

W TNEEE EIEr.

IML),

(No Model.) 7 Sheets-,Sheet 5.

C. D. ROGERS.

BARB WIRE MACHINE.

Patented Jan. l0,

. (No Model.) 7 sheets-sheet 6.

G. D. ROGERS.

BARB WIRE` MACHINE.

Patented Jan. 10, 1888.

:I l NVEN TIIIFm WITNEEEEE. l

(NOAMVOBL) 7 sheets-sheen 7. C.. D. ROGERS. BARB WIRE. MACHINE.

No. 376,417. Patented Jan. 1o, 188s.

IERI

WII'N E55 Es.

s. m 0. 0 R n 5 u m Am l Unirse STATES PATENT Ormea.

CHARLES D. ROGERS, OF PROVIDENCE, RHODE ISLAND, ASSIGNOR TO THE AMERICAN SCREW COMPANY, OF SAME PLACE.

BARB-WI RE MACHINE.

SPECIE'ECATIOII forming partvof Letters Patent No. 376,417, dated January 10, 1888.

` l Application led July 30, 1887. 4Serial No. 245,657. (No mfdel.)

To all whom it may concern: machine adapted to affix the barbs thereon at Be it known that I, CHARLES D. ROGERS, a regular intervals. In the operation of twist# citizen of the United States, residing at Proviing the wire it is continuously wound upon an dence, in the county of Providence and State axially-revolving reel, which is also adapted 5 of Rhode Island, have invented certain new to be revolved transversely, corresponding to and useful Improvements in Barb-Wire Mathe twist imparted to the wire. In View of chines; and I do hereby declare the following such former modes of operation it is obvious to be a full, clear, and exactA description of the that several distinct machines, with their atinvention, such as will enable others skilled in tendant operators, are required to produce a 6o 1o the art to which it appertains to make and use attened and twisted barb-wire.

the same, reference being had to the accompa- By means of my improvements only one ornying drawings, and to letters or figures of refganized machine is required to produce the erenee marked thereon, whichrform a part of coil ready for use, whereas, asjust stated, two this specification. or more machines arefso far as I am aware,

'f5 My invention relates to a barbwire machine necessarily employedl to produce flattened and for automatically makingaattened and twisttwisted barb-wire. Therefore the cost of 4the ed barb-wire; and it consists of the'following finished product made by my machine is obimprovements: mechanism for continuously viously reduced as compared with such former feeding the strand of plain wire, combined mechanisms. u 7o 2o with an intermittently-acting device for locat- In the accompanying seven sheets of drawing the barbs at liXed intervals along the wire, ings, illustrating my barb-wire machine, Figa device for flattennggthe `wire intermediate ure 1, Sheet l, is a side view of the machine of the barbs, and means for securing them in complete. Fig. 2 is an enlarged vertical 1onposition upon the wire, a reciprocating cargitudinal sectional view taken through the ;5

25 riage carrying clamps which automatically twisting device.L Fig. 3, Sheet 2, is aside ele- Vclasp and release the wire, aud mechanism vation of thewirevwinding mechanismorreel.

which acts to twist the wire while the latter Fig. lLis an end View of the same. Fig. 5 is a is retained by the traveling clamps. partial transverse sectional view taken on line The object of the presentinvention istopro- M M, Fig. 3, showing the traverse motion. 8o

3o duce an automatically working machine Fig. 6, Sheet 3, is a plan View ofthe complete adapted to receive an end of acoil of wire and machine and corresponding with Fig. l. Fig.

submit it while continuously'traveling to the 7V is an enlarged transverse sectional View action ofthe several devices abovementioned, taken on line N N, Fig. 6, looking toward the the finished product being automatically front end of the machine, showing the car- 35 wound upon an arbor or spool.. riage, 85e., of the twisting device. Fig. 8 is a Usually, heretofore, in the manufacture of similar sectional View taken on the irregular barb-wire the coil of plain .wire is intermitline o o, showing the feed and gripping jaws. tently passed along by the action of feeding Fig. 9 is a transverse sectional view taken on mechanism, which permits the barbs to be seline IV W of Fig. 8, showing a portion of the 4o cured to the wire at regular intervals. Such twisting feed mechanism. Fig. 10 is a front an arrangement'not only reduces the product View of a portion of the twisting-gear and lof the machine due to the loss of time, but shaft. Fig. 11 is a transverse sectional view also increases the power necessary to opertaken on line X X of Fig. 10. Fig. 12, Sheet ate it. 4, is an enlarged vertical transverse sectional 45 In the case of twisted ribbon wire a strand view taken through line AA, Fig. 6, looking of round wire is first submitted to a machine toward the rear end of the machine, showing adapted to reduce it to a fiattened cross-secthe main feeding mechanism. Fig. 13 is a tion. The wire thus fiattened is then passed view in elevation of a portion of the front end v through another machine, which gives it the of the main feedhead. Fig. 14 is a front View roo 5o desired twist, and if it is to be barbed the of the checking-device jaws, showing them twisted wire is passed through 4still another open and with the back gate closed. Fig. 15

is a plan view thereof. Fig. 16 represents the checking-jaws closed and the back gate in the open position. Fig. 17, Sheet 5, is a partial vertical longitudinal sectional view representing the feed-rolls, checking device, and barb track or runway, the eheckingjaws being closed and the barb-pusher nearly to the end of its forward stroke. Fig. 18 is a similar View showing the jaws open and the pusher advanced to the end of its rearward stroke, thereby'placing the barb in position on the wire immediately preceding its engagement with the main feed-rolls. Fig. 19 is a partial side elevation of one of the feed-rolls, showing a barb and wire in relation thereto. Fig. 20 is a partial vertical sectional view taken in the direction of their axes through the pair of feed-rolls at their adjacent faces, showinga barb in the act ot' being pointed by means of dies mounted in the rolls. Fig. 20 is a side elevation of the locking-plate removed from the machine, the rear ends of the grippingjaws,corresponding to the extreme positions of the carriage, being represented by dotted lines, the section-lines showing the location of the jaws corresponding to that shown in Fig. 6. Fig. 2O` is an end elevation of the saine. Fig. 20" is a reduced side elevation showing a portion of the twisting device, its position corresponding to that just before the instant the wire is completely twisted. Fig. 20d represents the same j ust after the wire is twisted, the parts remaining stationary. Fig. 2()c shows the relation of said parts immediately succeeding the action of a pin, h, to return the twisting-box to its normal position,

ready to again receive a barb at the commencement of the next rearward stroke of the carriage. Fig. 21, Sheet 6, is a longitudinal sectional view (reduced) similar to Fig. 17,show ing in addition the rear feed arranged and adapted to straighten the wire after being flattened by the action of the main feedrolls. Fig. 22 is a transverse sectional view of the machine,taken on the irregular line F F, Fig. 6,showing the rear feed and reel-driving mechanism. Fig. 23 is a partial horizontal sectional view taken on line M M, Fig. 21, showing the pusher, guide, and connection. Fig. 2t is a partial side view of the twisting-box. Fig. 25 is a longitudinal vertical sectional view taken through the center of the twistingbox, showing the jaws engaging the wire preparatory to the twisting operation. Fig. 26 is an end view of the twisting-box looking toward the entering end. Fig. 27 represents the development of one of the main feed-rolls. Fig. 23, Sheet 7, is a view of a piece of plain wire preparatory to entering the machine. Fig. 29 is a view of the same while passing through the barbs, one of which is shown loosely in position. Fig. 30 isasection ofthe wire after passing through the combined feeding and attening rolls. Fig. 31 is an edge view thereof. Fig. 32 is a view of the same after being subjected to the twisting mechanism. Fig. 33 is a perspective view of one of the barbs enlarged. Fig. 34 is a view of the same as secured to the wire and showing the points of the barb swaged to a rounded form. Fig. 35 is a detached view (the barb being in section) showing the manner of retaining the barb in place. Fig. 3G is a plan view thereof, and 37 is an edge view.

The following is a detailed description of my barb-wire machine, including the manner of its operation:

A, referring to the drawings, designates the machine as a whole, as constructed, arranged, and adapted by its several devices to simulta- 4neously and continuously perform the following operationsw-viz., to first feed a plain wire through the straightening-rolls, then to receive the barbs and place them in position (say five inches apart) on the wire,.then passi ng the wire and barbs between feedrolls, which in revolving point the barbs and secure them in position and flatten the wireintermediate of the barbs to a ribbon forni, then passing the now iattened and barbed wire between straightening rolls,and nextpassing thewire to a reciprocating carriage having automatieallyoperating clamping-jaws, which simultaneously seize upon two of the barbs, an intermediate barb at the same instant being retained by dogs mounted in a twisting-box adapted to be revolved. The confined wire now being carried ahead is acted upon by a twisting device, which twists it both right and left from the saidintermediate or center barb to the lateral barbs retained by the clamping-jaws, the mechanism being so timed that thejaws release the wire, and theearriage isreturned preparatory to reclainping the wire and twisting another length (about ten inches) as before, the iinished wire in the meantime being automatically wound upon a reel having a traverse movement.

a, again referring to the drawings, indicates the main framing of the machine, having an extension, c, at its front or feeding end, in which are mounted, as common, a series of rolls, a', adapted to reduce the plain wire w after it leaves the coil to a straight form pre paratory to entering the feeding device, &c.

s, Figs. 1 and 6, designates the main driving-shaft mounted in suitable bearings. A driving-belt, i', leading from a countershatt, if desired, to a pulley, a2, secured in front to the shaft s, is adapted to impart motion to the machine. A train of gearing, as a and a, mounted, respectively, on the shafts s s'2 at the rearoroppositeside of the machine, serves to transmit motion to theseveral combined devices.

In the barb-wire represented the barbu thereof is punched from sheet metal, a hole, a being formed through its center adapted to loosely receive the plain round wire w. I prefor to use steel barbs, although, obviously, other metal may be employed, if desired. Intermediate of the straightening-rolls a and the main feed-rolls is located a track or trough, in which a series of barbs'are placed side by side,

IOO

IOS

IIO

main feedrolls.

'center is provided with a groove, a, adapted port-ion of the dies therefor.

as clearly shown in Figs. 6 to 16,850.f The trough may be of sufficient length to receive enough barbs to barb several hundred feet of wire. Practically, however, I prefer to usea shorter trough and couple the wire together in shorter lengths. The wire w is inserted through the several barbs, and is then passed to the feedand roll are mounted, said block being vertically adj usted by a screw, d', and retained in position by the lateral screws e, Fig. 21,which pass through elongated holes formed in the' frame d.

an, as stated, designate the upper and lower The peri pheryof each atits in conjunction with the fellow roll to laterally reduce the plain wire while passing between them to a flattened or ribbon form, w. (See sheet 5 of the drawings.) Dies tareoppositely mounted and arranged in the rolls, so as to coincide with each other as they pass the vertical center. The object of these dies is to receive the barbs u as they are successively placed in position and reduce the ends thereof to a sharpened point, u', t being the shaping Intermediate of the dies, as at nl, referring to Fig. 19, each roll is cut away to freely receive the barbs, the depth of the groove or cut-away portion at as being slightly less than Onehalf the width of the barb. By means of this arrangement the 4o joint action ofthe rolls causes theoppositesides of the lnetal surrounding the hole us to be slightly impressed into the wire. (See Figs. 33 to 37.) The continued action of the rolls then iiattens the wire, the resulting product being shown in Figs. 30, 31, 85e., wherein the wire is flattened intermediate of the barbs. By means also of this construction the barbs are secured on the wire at regular intervals and in a uniform manner, the barbs thereby being retained in a fixed position both longitudinally and axially ofthe wire.

I will next describe the mechanismadapted to single out the barbs and place each in position so as to be properly received by the con1- bined feeding and reducing rolls n.

The lower roll-shaft, s2, extends across the machine toward the front side. On this shaft adjacent to the feed-gear a5 is secured a bevelgear,.b, Figs. 6, 12,'8tc., which intergears with a bevel-pinion, b', secured to a short shaft, si, mounted in b earings arranged rlengthwise of the frame ce. A iianged hub or center, e", is secured .to this latter shaft, which, by means of bolts e5, passing through slotted openings formed in said flange, serves to adjustably secure a cam, e3, thereto.

v is the cam-lever, pivoted at v to the frame,

'feed-rolls.

which, by means ofa pin, v2, Figs. 13, 23, secured to thelever and engagingthe cam-groove, causes the lever to vibrate back and forth. The outer or free end of the cam-lever is j ointed to a guided block, P', which is located immediately below the barb carrying trough 1/ and contiguous to the feedrolls. A two-arm lever, l?,whieh I term the pusher-lever,77 is pivoted to the rear end of the block P. The upper arm of said lever is bent, the end thereof being forked to receive the wire w, and is also shaped to properly present a barb, u, to the A spring, z, secured to the leverblock and engaging a pin of the pusherlever, serves to maintain the latter in its normal posi'tion during the rearward stroke. The lever in returning on its forward stroke (see Fig. 17) is lifted or tripped against the tension of the spring z by means of an extension, z', secured thereto, which engages the inclined surface ofa hingedplate, z2, and guides thelever along the stationary flat surface z3, the bent arm of the lever at the same time being carried along below and disengaged from a barb. During this forward movement of the lever the continuously-traveling wire is permitted by means of intermittingly-aeting jaws, Ste., soon to be described, to carry a released barb in the opposite direction. As soon as thelever passes by the end of the stationary guide z3, the spring causes the opposite end to be ele` vated and loosely receive the wire w, the increased velocity ofthe shaft s3, in conjunction with the action ofthe cam o3, serving to forcey the barb along tothe rolls in advance of the wire, there to remain until received at the proper time bythe dies t, as shown in Fig. 18, the hinged plate z2 readily permitting the end z' of the lever to pass beneath during the rearward stroke, a spring actuated lever, 24, being secured toa stem extending from the plate. (See Fig. 23.)

The mechanism [or controlling the column of barbs is as follows:

Referring to Sheet 4 of the drawings and to Fig. 21, 85e., it kwill be noticed that the barbtrack y is provided at its rear end with a pair of pivoted jaws, J, and a clamping-gate, G.

D indicates a disk secured to the shaft s, said .disk having oppositely-formed recesses n2 in its rim, into which lugs ai* of the jaws engage, asin Fig. 14, thereby openingvthejaws and uncovering the end of the track and permitting a barb to freely pass out. Immediatelyin front of the jaws a gate, G, is mounted to slide up and down in an extension, y', of the track, the lower end, g', of the gatebeing made to approximately lit aseries of barbs. A pivoted lever, K, is jointed to the upper end of the gate, the outer or free arm ot' the lever having a lug, n4, formed on its under side, adapted to engage aV cani, D, secured to the shaft s3. These two cams are so located relatively to e/ach other upon the shaft that while thejaws J are opened the gate Gbears firmly against the barbs, (and vice versa,) thereby preventing their escape. Springs E serve to (Slee Fig. (5.)

maintain the levers in contact with the respective cams. It will be noticed, referring to Fig. 15, that a space, g5, is left uncovered between the gate G and the face of the jaws. This space is to rcceivea barb by the action of the traveling wire against the frontside ofthe jaws while the latter are closed. By means of this arrangement it is obvious that upon opening the jaws the unconlined barb is free to pass from the end of the track. In fact, the barb, by being freely supported by the traveling` wire, is by its friction carried into the space formed in the housing of the feed-rolls, there to be forced into place in advance ofthe wire by the pusher-lever, tbc., as before described.

The device for straighteningr the wire after the barbs are affixed thereon by the action of the feed-rolls, &c., is as follows:

A pair ot' vertically mounted and geared shafts, Figs. 2l, 22, &c., are mounted in the framing of the machine, one of which is elongated and extends below the frame, the same being driven through the medium of a train of geari11g,a,\vl1ieh in turn is actuated by a suitably-mounted pinion, if, intergearing with the bevel-gear b. A roll or disk, c, sui-mounts each of said vertical shafts. These disks are grooved to receive the flattened wire, and are eut ont, as at c'. to freely receive the barbs. The peripheral surfaces of the disks travel at the same rate of speed as that of the feed-rolls a. By means ot' this device the wire is made practically straight, and having all the barbs lying inthe same plane, so as to uniformly cuter the twisting mechanism.

The twisting device is mounted on a carriage which travels back and forth in ways, the construction and arrangcmentof the mechanism being substantially as follows:

(j indicates the carriage,having a rectangular form andprovided with tics or ribs adapted to support and carry the several parts constituting the clamping and twisting mechanism. The carriage is iitted to reciprocate in ways or Vs g, secured tothe framing a at the rear end ofthe machine. The carriageis carried to the right or rearwardly (see Fig. G) by the action of ruiter-gears Z', which are driven by similar gears, Z, in connection with the longitudinallymounted and continuonsly-revolving shaft To the rear of the shaft and at right angles therewith is mounted a short gear-shaft, Z2, (driven by a gear, L) on which is secured a spur-wheel,p, the teeth of which are removed from one-half ot' its periphery, Figs. 8 and 9. A rack,p`l, is secured to the carriage and arranged to mesh into the wheel. This arrangement causes the carriage to be driven rearwardly at the same rate of speed or in unison with the traveling wire. Now, when the last tooth of the wheel p in its revolution leaves the rack, corresponding to the cxtreme movelnent ofthe carriage in that direction, it is evident that other mechanism than said gear and rack must be employed to return the carriage on its forward stroke to its normal position.

The following description refers in detail to such a device:

Uindicates a lever fulcruined at it to the frame a and having its outer end slotted, through which a bolt, 7J, passes, thereby connecting the lever to the under side ofthe carriage. (See Figs. G and S.) A link, k', is jointed to the lever intermediate of its two ends, the front end of the link beingjointed to a lever, k, arranged transversely of themachine and fulcrumed in front to a bracket, lz".

fi/ indicates a cam adj ustablysecured to the front end of the lower fced-roil shaft, 32, i being the slotted cam-connection through which the shaft passes, Fig. l, and having a pin, p, therein adapted to engage the cam, the rear end of the connection being jointed tothe lever k. By means of this arrangement the cam, which is continuously revolving. is adapted to engage the pin p ofthe connection i, thereby causing the carriage to return toits normal position, the form of the cam and its fixed location upon the shaft being such that the carriage is brought into position somewhat in advance of its reengagement with the gear p', thus producing a temporarystop. During this interval of time, while the carriage remains stationary,the wire w is freely passing through the twistingbox. As soon, however, 'as the barb, which forms the centerof thencxttwisting-section (or ten inches) enters the box, the revolving gear p will have engaged the rack p2, and the whole then travels rearwardly in unison` as before stated. Itis during this latter half of the stroke ot' the carriage that the twisting of the wire is effected. The said shaft si is mounted in bearings arranged longitudinally of the machine, and also in bearings formed in the carriage. The miter-gcar Z and a large spur-gear, It, (having some'of its teeth removed,) are fitted to a long spline let into the shaft. By this means the gears are kept continuously revolving, and at the same time travel back and forth with the carriage on the shaft.

Before further describing the twisting-box and its actuating mechanism, I will describe the grippingjaws H, which are adapted to automatically seize a section of the wire w', then to iirmly retain it while heilig twisted, and, finally, to release the twisted wire at or near the end of the rearward stroke of the carriage, the latter then returning to repeat the operation on another' section of the wire, as before.

Each pair of gripping -jaws H consists of upper and lower members pivoted at e'z to ears secured to the rear side of the carriage on its upper surface. These pivots are so adjusted longitudinally of the machine that the two pairs of jaws are separated a distance corresponding to a portion ofthe wire em bracing two barbs spaces, or, as stated, ten inches. The frontends of the jaws are adapted to receive and rigidly retain the flattened wire between them together with the contiguous IIO barb. (See Figs. 6, v7, 8.) The rear ends, e4,

the same extending at each end beyond the.

latter-mentioned ribs, as shown. An external arm is secured to each hinged plate, which, by means of the connected spring cs, insures the engagement of the free ends of the plate with the center rib. It is obvious from this construction that when the jaws are at the extreme forward position (shown dotted, Fig. a) the gripping portion of the jaws are fully opened; but as they travel rearwardly along theinclined surfaces c5 the jaws are gradually closed down upon the wire and remain irmly grasping it during their engagement with the ribs c6, at which time also the twisting takes place. As the jaws pass over the rear end of the ribs and engage the center rib, the grippers open by the action of the spring e3 and A permit the just twisted wire to pass through,

e and 32.

the grippers remaining fully open during the entire return or forward stroke, the ends eAk of the jaws freely passing the springrestrained hinge-plates c5.

Probably I can better illustrate the manner of gripping the wire by a reference to Figs. 3l AS before stated, the grippingjaws travel in unison with the wire, the same being relatively adjusted, so that at the commencement of the rearward stroke the barbs l and 3 are in the proper position (all the barbs lying horizontally) to be seized by the rear and front pairs of grippers, respectively. At or about the time the jaws engage the flat surfaces c, Figs. 6 and 20a, the grippers simultaneously seize the wireat the points indicated, 1 and 3, the intermediatebarb, 2, at the same instant being held by spring-actuated dogs mounted in the hollow twisting-box. The latter by its driving mechanism is then revolved about two turns while the jaws are in contact with the ribs c, or until opened by their engagement with the center rib. Fig. 32 shows the wire thus twisted. The twist being both right and left, the wire loses about one-halfvof a twist, due to the elasticity of the metal, thereby producing only one and one half twist of the wire, the alternate barbs now being at right angles with the intermediate barbs.

T indicates the twisting-box, having a small gear-wheel, F, secured to the rear end of its annular central hub, f3, Fig. 25, Src. The portion of thebox intermediate of its head and said gear is turned to fit abearing formed in the carriage. Mounted in the rectangular chamber f4 of the box are pivoted the two sets of hardcned-steel front and rear dogs, di d, which are adapted to retain the wire axially while it is being twisted, a barb, as 2, Fig. 32, lying intermediate ofthe dogs. (See also Fig. 25.) Each dog is provided at itsouter end with a pin, d5, which extends through a slotted opening, dl, cut inthe sides of the box. Flat springs d", Fig. 24, let into and secured to the box and engaging said pins, serve to maintain the several dogs in the normal position shown. Upon opening the grippingjaws H and returning ythe carriage on its forward stroke the wire is permitted to freely pass through the twisting boxy by reason of the slotted openings dl, which lallow the dogs to vibrate in the arrow direction, Fig. 25. As soon, however, as the boxbegins to again move rearwardly in unison with the wire, the springs d6 simultaneously act to cause the sharpened points of the dogs to eugage the wire.

The construction and operation of the wiretwisting mechanism are as follows:

h is a spur-gear mounted to revolve in bearings of the carriage and driven by the splined shaft S5, Figs. 2, 7, &c. The teeth of the gear extend around only about onethird of its periphery and intergear with a spur-pinion, f', secured to a short shaft, Z3, mounted to revolve in bearings formed on the carriage, the ratio of the two gears being about three to one. To the opposite or front end of the shaft Z3 is secured a spur-wheel, f, which in turn meshes into a smaller gear, F, secured to the hub of the twisting-box, the ratio of thelatter gears being, say, two to one. By this proportion and arrangement of gearing it is obvious that the twisting-box is adapted to make six revolutions -to one of the driving-shaft S5; but, owing to the absence of teeth from two-thirds of the gear h, the box can actually make but two revolutions, (during one revolution of the said driving-shalt) the same being accomplished while the carriage travels rearwardly about three and one-third.inches,a distance equal to one-third of the circumference of the feed-roll n, and substantially corresponding with the length of the ribs c6, before described, which lock the gripping-jaws. VTherefore it is obvi- IOO r to

ous that the twisting box remains stationary during two-thirds of each revolution of the driving-shaft. l

The driving-gear h of the twisting-box is provided with a pin, h', located in the rim thereof and about sixty degrees to the rear of itslastgear-tooth. (SeeFig.7.) AU-shaped spring, h2, is iirmly secured to the carriage contiguous to the gear f. A stationary stud, h3, is adapted at its upper end to engage the free end of said spring toretaiu it in its normal position. The spur-gear f is, as before stated, secured to the shaft Z3. A pin, h4, projects from the rear face or side of the gear adapted to compress the spring h2. Two ratchet-shaped notches, o3 o4, are formed in the front face of the gear, about forty-five degrees 0 indicates a spring locking bolt or pawl mounted to slide endwise in boxes secured to the carriage. The rear end of the bolt is made angular and beveled off to automatically engage the said notches o3 0*. This bolt'serves to lock the gearf (and consequently the twisting-box) in position while it remains stationary, preventing` the reaction of the wire from revolving the gear in the reverse direction when the gear-teeth h are disengaged from the pinionf. A spring, o5, insures the contact of the bolt with the notches.

The following is the manner of twisting the wire. Referring to Figs. 6 and 7, the carriage is represented as well under way in its rearward stroke, the gripjiing-jaws firmly engaging the wire and the twisting-box also retaining the wire through the agency of its dogs, and the driving-gear 7i beingjust in the act of revolving the box by means ofthe gear-train ff F, the spring-bolt being in contact with the upper notch, o". Now, as the gear h revolves, (the carriage, grippers I'Ltwisting-box and wire all at the same time traveling in unison,) the twisting-box is axially turned, thereby twisting the length of wire secured between the two sets of grippers, the latter being prevented from opening, because oftheir engagement with the ribs c" of the lockingplate I. At the instant of the completion of the twisting operation, which ceases when the last tooth of the driving-gear leaves the pinion f,the gearf will have made just one revolution, and its pin h* has compressed the spring h, as shown in Fig. 20. lmmediatel y thereafter the tension of the spring, in connection,

with the torsion or relaxation ofthe wire itself, revolves the gear fin the opposite direction until restrained bythe engagement of the bolt with the lower notch, o4, as shown in Fig. 20, thereby somewhat reducing the amount of twist in the wire. At orjust prior tothe termination of the first half-revolution ofthe gear h the single tooth or pin h engages the contiguous teeth of the small gearf,thereby causing a partial forward revolution of the gearf, which movement forces the pin It* from its spring h2 and permits the end of the lockingbolt 0 to again enter the upper notch, on, (the same corresponding to the normal position of the borg) as shown in Fig. 20",there to remain until withdrawn by the action of the teeth h in twisting the succeeding length ofwire while advancing in the next rearward stroke, as described. rlhe action ofthepin 7i further serves to vertically place the twisting-box in its 11ermal position, the same corresponding to that shown in Fig. 25, wherein the barbs lie horizontally. Immediately following the locking of the gearf through the medium of the pin h and bolt o the final rearward movement of the carriage by the gear p', Fig. 9, causes the jaws to open by passing from the ribs c" to the center rib, c?. The carriage now quickly returns on its forward stroke to its limit by means of the camz audits connections, (the stroke being about six inches in each direction,) the wire and barbs at the same time passing freely through the jaws H and the box T, the several operations being continuously repeated during the running of the machine.

The construction and arrangement of the reeling mechanism are as follows:

A pulley, m, is secured to the lower feedroll shaft, 52, from which a belt, m', drives a pulley, m2, secured to a counter-shaft, L, mounted in the lower portion ofthe machine. (See Fig. l.) A pulley, m, is secured to the front end of this shaft,and a small score-pulley, m", immediately in its rear. A reel-stand is placed in position at the rear end of the Inachinc to receive the flnished wire.

R indicates the uprights or side frames, united by a tie, t, near the floor, Figs. 3, 4.

V indicates the upper or reel shal't, and V the lower or traverse shaft. Aspool, R, is mounted to slide on the upper shaft, the same being revolved by a belt, r', leading from the pulley m3 to the pulley m4. A ratchet-wheel, y", secured to the reel-shaft, in connection with the cheek-paw] Lf/',serves to prevent the tension of the wire from acting to revolve the reel in the opposite direction.

)t2 indicates a traverse-fraaie fitted to freely slide back and forth on the upper and lower shafts, its upper portion being adapted to embrace the spool R and give itacorresponding movement. Thelowershaftisdriven byabelt, r2, leading from the pulley m6 to a pulley, m5, secured to the front end of the shaft.

S indicates a traverse-screw fitted to splines let into the lower shaft, V', said screw having right and left helical grooves or threads t5, crossing each other, as common. the screw bear against the inner faces of the frame R.

t* designates a stud mounted to vibrate in the tie t". The upper end thereof is enlarged laterally and fitted to freely engage the grooves fl. By means of this device it is obvious that the spool R is rcciprocatcd back and forth on its shaft, while at the same time, by its revolutions, the finished wireN is continuously and uniformly wound thereon. The reels, as fast as filled with the wire, may be readily removed from the shaft and an empty one substituted.

By changing the proportions of the twistinggears, d'c., more or less twist may be put into the wire. Such change, however,'is largely dependent upon the quality of the wire used, in connection with the amount of reduction or flattening to which it may be subjected.

A plain or untwisted barb-wire, as in Figs. 30, 3l, is produced by simply disconnecting the carriage from the cam. This is readily accomplished by removing the joint-pin which connects the lever k to the cam-connection i, the carriage then remaining at the end of its rearward stroke with the gripping -jaws fully opened. i

It is obvious that the surface of the grooves a of the feed-rolls may be roughened. Such surface also may be provided with characters The ends of IIO or symbols to be impressed into the wire, thereby designating the manufacturer, brand, &c., as desired. It is further evident that my machine is adapted to receive wire having other forms in cross-section. The barbs in like manner may be made diamond shape, anguiar, 8vo., although I prefer the form represented in the drawings.

I claim as my invention- Y l. In a barb-wire machine, the combination of mechanism for continuously feeding the wire and securing the barbs thereon and mechanisms for automaticallygripping, twisting, and releasing the wire While it is passing through the machine.

2. A reciprocating carriage having mounted thereon gripping-jaws and twisting mechanism adapted to seize and twist the wire while traveling in unison with the carriage.

3. The feeding and compressing rolls having recesses in their peripheries for the passage of the barbs and provided with dies for sharpening the barbs in their passage.

4. The feeding and compressing rolls having recesses in their peripheries adapted to receive the barbs 4and compress them laterally upon the Wire as they pass.

5. The combination of a barb-feeding mech- 'anism and combined feeding and compressing rolls adapted to receive the barbs and secure them at regular intervals on the continuouslymoving Wire, substantially as described.

6. In a barbwire machine, the combination of the following automatically operating mechanisms, viz: a checking and feeding device for successively placing the barbs in position-on the wire,continuously-revolving wire feeding and reducing and 4barb-compressing rolls between which the wire and barbs pass, whereby the barbs are secured upon the wire and the wire is reduced to a ribbon form intermediate ofthe fixed barbs, rolls for straightening the thus-iiattened barb-wire, grippingjaws adapted to retain the portion of wire to be acted upon by the twisting device, means for locking and unlocking the gripping-jaws., an iutermitting'ly-operating twisting apparavtus for twisting the length of wire retained between the gripping-jaws, anda revolving reel upon which the twisted barb-wire is wound, substantially as set forth.

7. In a barb-wire machine, the combination of a barbfeeding device, combined feeding and swaging rolls between which the wireand barbs pass and by which the barbs are secured .to the wire and the wire reduced intermediate of the barbs to a ribbon form, and a revolving reciprocating wheel upon which the barbwire is wound, substantially as specified.

In testimony whereof I have affixed my signature in presence of two witnesses.

, CHARLES D. ROGERS.

Witnesses:

CHARLES HANNIGAN, GEO. H. REMINGTON. 

